Our pick of the best Christmas markets in the North
by Northern Life
It’s time don your hat and scarf and head to the Christmas markets. The big day isn’t far off now and what better way to feel the magic of the festive season than at a bustling Christmas market. Here’s our pick of the best Christmas Markets in the North.
Manchester Christmas Market
When? 10 November – 20 December Where? Manchester
Five weeks of Christmassy fun at one of the UK’s biggest and best Christmas markets. The main market hub – home to the European Christmas Market – can be found in front of the town hall in Albert Square as usual, presided over by Santa on his rooftop perch.
Newcastle Continental Christmas Market
When? 18 November – 11 December Where? Newcastle Monument
Turning the Monument area into a cosmopolitan market place with stalls packed full of unusual Christmas gifts and festive foods to be enjoyed.
Market Place is set to return this Christmas to Grey Street and Grainger Street for another festive market. Running from Friday 18th November to Sunday 11th December 2016, the streets will be filled with a festive atmosphere as our friendly traders will be presenting a range of products from across the world including global flavours and crafts.
Leeds Christkindelmarkt Traditional German Christmas Market
When? 11 November – 18 December Where? Leeds Millenium Square
Leeds is one of the most established German Christmas Markets in the UK.
Christkindelmarkt, Leeds is one of the most established German Christmas Markets in the UK, with traditional wooden stalls, festive greenery, Christmas carousel ride and twinkling colourful lights all creating a unique continental festive atmosphere in the heart of Leeds city centre.
York Christmas Festival
When? 17 November – 23 November Where? York Shambles
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and the York Christmas Festival is back bigger than ever, to transform the city into a winter wonderland with fairs, family fun and festive events.
Lots of exciting events are on offer, from The Snowman at the York Barbican to panto at York Theatre Royal and the Grand Opera House – will Prince Charming find his true love? And don’t forget to book your tickets for the York Early Music Christmas Festival to hear a brilliant line up of musicians. Just a short journey from York you’ll be enchanted by Christmas at Castle Howard, where grand interiors and sweeping parkland are dressed for the festive season.
Durham City Traditional Christmas Festival
When? 2 December – 4 December Where? Palace Green
Entertainment, huge craft/gift marquee, carol services, lantern procession and much more – traditional setting and a family friendly event.
Durham City’s Traditional Christmas Festival is returning to Durham on the 2nd December 2016 for 3 days and can be found around the Cathedral and the Castle.
The huge, heated Craft and Gift Marquee on Palace Green will feature over 185 stalls across all three days of the event. It’s open Friday 2nd December from 10am to 6pm, Saturday 3rd December from 9am to 6pm and Sunday 4th December from 10am to 4:30pm.
Christmas at Beamish
When? 19 November – 24 December Where? Beamish – more info
Enjoy a Christmas experience to remember as you discover the wondrous sights, sounds and mouth-watering tastes of traditional festivities in the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s.
Visit Father Christmas in his cosy fireside Grotto, meet his friendly reindeer, indulge in festive food, explore the beautifully decorated homes and shops and much more.
Harrogate Christmas Market
When? 17 November – 20 November Where? Harrogate
An exclusive shopping experience with one of the best Christmas Lights displays in Yorkshire. This is a four-day high quality event with a Yorkshire theme attracting thousands of visitors to enjoy Harrogate.
Harrogate Christmas Market returns from Thursday 17th November to Sunday 20th November 2016 – this year is set to be the best yet!
Grassington Dickensian Festival
When? 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th December Where? Grassington
On the first two weekends of December, Grassington travels back in time for the annual Dickensian Festival. Visitors are treated to a glorious array of sights, tastes and smells from a bygone era. The village is adorned in Christmas lights, the square and streets come alive with a traditional market with shopkeepers and villagers dressed in Victorian costume.
Nestled right in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, Grassington, a picturesque village, will be transported back to the bygone era of Dickens, with shopkeepers, villagers and visitors dressed in Victorian costume. Imagine soaking up the festive atmosphere of cobbled streets, being treated to a glorious array of sights, tastes and smells, with a warming mulled wine or hot chocolate, next to the festive glow of an open brazier.
Skipton Christmas Market
When? 4th and 11th December Where? Skipton
The ‘Gateway to the Dales’ brings you Skipton’s famous Christmas Market, which is celebrating its 22nd Anniversary this year. This hugely successful event, brought to you by Skipton Town Council and the Skipton Business Improvement District attracts tens of thousands of people from across the country.
Skipton’s famous Market will be in full festive flow on both days running the full length of the High Street from 10am – 4.30pm.
Knaresborough Edwardian Christmas Market
When? 3rd and 4th December Where? Knaresborough
Knaresborough Christmas Market is held annually on the first weekend in December when the historic market town goes back in time and re-creates an unforgettable festive experience.
The Knaresborough Christmas Market celebrates the wealth of talent in North Yorkshire drawing together the residents and visitors to Knaresborough over the Christmas season.
Christmas at the Castle
When? 17th and 18th December Where? Lancaster Castle
A range of stallholders will be selling local and regional produce, arts, crafts, gifts and Christmas baubles, and street food, while choirs, brass bands, jazz quartets and local musicians play carols and festive favourites. There will be a Santa’s Grotto in the Castle.
Local school and church choirs will be leading the singing and there will be a Christmas Nativity on the courtyard stage. We will be serving mulled wines and mulled ciders. A mouth watering selection of cakes, bakes and festive foods will be available in the courtyard cafe, Nice @ the Castle.
Ulverton Dickensian Christmas Festival
When? 26th and 27th November Where? Ulverston
The Ulverston Dickensian Christmas Market and Festival returns once again bringing delightful host of events packed full of festivity. It attracts thousands of visitors to the traditional market town where they can soak up the atmosphere of a time gone by. Among a variety of events and entertainment, there will be costume competitions, horse drawn carriages and a Christmas market with unusual gifts and festive food.
Make sure you buy the official Dickensian Committee Mulled Wine. It’s the best and the only one that helps fund next years event. pic.twitter.com/KF1w1xC3sm
— Ulverston Dickensian (@dickensianfest) November 16, 2016
Windermere Ja German Christmas Market
When? 10th and 11th December Where? Windermere
Windermere Ja is a brand new German Christmas Market hitting the streets of Windermere on 10th & 11th December. The two days of festive fun will have a huge range of unique stalls selling some seasonal gifts that will make for perfect Christmas presents. There will be delicious food & drink offerings available all day. There will be live music & on street entertainment. Santa will be coming to visit and he has his very own grotto & reindeers! There is so much to see and do in the area why not make a weekend of it and book accommodation in the area. The festivities will continue into the evening in the bars & pubs in the area.
Christmas Makers Market, Preston
When? 17 – 18 Decemeber Where? Harris Museum
Preston’s first ever Christmas Maker’s Markets are hitting the city this December and provide the perfect opportunity to squeeze in some last minute Christmas shopping. Some of Preston’s best local artists and makers will be selling their unique work on the weekend before Christmas and there will be jewellery, art, crafts and even some furniture on sale.
